Method and system for providing preparing and assembling a high end prefabricated product to serve as a window covering or room divider.

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a method of preparing and assembling certain prefabricated products (identified below as (a) Suspension Rods; (b) Decorative Finished Wood; (c) Locking Pin; and (d) Rubber Gasket) which, once assembled, will serve as a high end room divider or window covering (also known as window treatments). The inventive framework allows the user who is preparing and assembling the product to have an installed room divider or window coverage that is clean, with no marks, and also able to be assembled by one person, as opposed to having multiple parties present to effect installation.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present Invention and the advantages thereof, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a representation of (a) the 4 specific prefabricated products, and (b) how they are interconnected using the method and system provided herein. On the upper left hand corner of the representation, you will find a side view of the assembled product, so the user can get a sense of how each piece interconnects with each other, using the method and system described herein. Directly below that, running horizontal in the representation is another angle, looking at the top of the finished product as installed, providing the reader another angle and representation of how the finished product will be installed.

FIG. 2 is a representation of a frontal view of the assembled product, on how the specific components will be installed. At the top, you see the Suspension Rods as they are inserted into the Decorative Finished Wood products. Then you see how the fabric will run vertically from the top to bottom. Finally, you see how the Decorative Finished Wood runs across the bottom, attached to the ends of the fabric.

FIG. 3 is a representation of how the bottom of the unit will be finished, Option 1.

FIG. 4 is a representation of how the bottom of the unit will be finished, Option 2.

FIG. 5 is a representation of how the bottom of the unit will be finished, Option 3.

MANUFACTURED GOODS UNDERLYING THE INVENTION

The invention is for a method and process of preparing and assembling certain products in a particular way, which once followed, results in a high end prefabricated product to serve as a window covering or room divider. The purposes is to not only patent our process, but also serve as ensuring the finish product is facially clean and unmarked, preserving the aesthetic quality and beautify of the finished product, as well as offer the user simple, unilateral installation that doesn't require having multiple parties on hand to assist with the installation.

Once the method and process of preparing and assembling the specific products described herein (the “Invention”) is performed by the user, the end result will be a beautiful, clean, facially non-marked prefabricated product to serve as a window covering/window treatment, or room divider (the “End Product”).

The Invention will require the use of four (4) specific goods manufactured by the Inventor.

-   -   1. Decorative Finished Wood (herein, “DFW”)—for multiple pieces,         they will be further delineated as DFW A, DFW B, etc.     -   2. Suspension Rods.     -   3. Locking Pin.     -   4. Rubber Gasket.

The 4 specific pieces are as followed: (a) a DFW product, rectangular in shape and design, which is designed for the purposes hanging up stationary fabric panels, associated with room dividers and window treatments, used for commercial or residential purposes. This will serve a variety of uses in the finished product, which may or may not be visible to the consumer but in most instances, 2 pieces are on the top and 2 pieces are used on the bottom; (b) Suspension Rods which serve for purposes of mounting and stability; (c) a Locking Pin to secure the suspension rods; and (d) a Rubber Gasket, used to attach the fabric to the decorative finished wood pieces.

THE INVENTION DESCRIBED IN DETAIL

First, you mount the Suspension Rods to the ceiling. Depending on the size of the End Product, the user may be required to use multiple Suspension Rods.

The DFW has either two (2) or four (4) pieces, depending on the type of installation. For purposes of this application and description, this description will assume that there are four (4) separate DFW's, as this particular summary will describe the Invention in the contents of a room divider. Recall that the End Product has the ability to serve as either a room divider (effectively partitioning a room) or window treatment (i.e. similar to blinds, verticals, roller shades, etc.). We will identify each DFW as A, B, C and D respectively. DFW A and DFW B will refer to the two (2) DFW's attached to the ceiling, and DFW C and DFW D will refer to the two (2) DFW's attached to the fabric as a weight located at the bottom of the End Product.

DFW A and DFW B will be attached to the ceiling. Specifically, DFW B will be mounted to the Suspension Rod, as DFW's will have an insert on the inside that is designed to fit the bottom of the Suspension Rod, so as to hold it in place. Additionally, DFW B mounted to the Suspension Rod will have another insert that will contain a Rubber Gasket, which is designed to hold the fabric in place once ready to install. Once you have secured the Suspension Rod to the ceiling, the user will take DFW B and attach it to the Suspension Rod. The user will use a Locking Pin to secure and fasten DFW B to the Suspension Rod.

Once DFW B is connected to the Suspension Rod, and secured with the Locking Pin, the user will move to the DFW A, that will ultimately be connected to DFW B, securing the fabric from the top.

DFW A is first placed on the floor, and the side with the incisions are face up. The user will notice that DFW A has surface mounted double-sided tape, which is installed directly on each DFW during the manufacturing of the piece, and designed to hold the fabric in place until fully secured. The user will then attach the fabric to surface mounted double-sided tape of DFW A, which will hold the fabric in place until it is fastened securely by the Rubber Gasket attached to DFW B.

Once the user has attached the fabric to the double-sided tape on DFW A, the user will then proceed to attach DFW A and DFW B together where the Rubber Gasket will press against the fabric, securely holding it in place from the top.

During the manufacture of the goods, the DFW has an insert cut into the product. The insert is designed to hold a metal disc, of which one or both sides will be magnetized. The intention of the metal disc is to serve as a magnetic attaching mechanism, of which the user can securely fasten both DFW A and DFW B without the need of using additional screws or nails. The intention of such is two-fold (a) to preserve the finished look, unmarked and unscathed, and (b) to enable single person installation.

Once DFW A and DFW B are connected, the Rubber Gasket fully secures the fabric, holding it in place, as DFW A and DFW B are securely fastened to the suspension rod.

The user will be able to choose one (1) of three (3) options as it relates to finishing the installation at the bottom of the unit, at the lower end of the fabric. The lower end of the fabric will need to be secured, and the following options are offered:

Option 1: Truncated Suspension Rods.

The user will take the remaining DFW's—DFW C and DFW D respectively, and mount them to the floor using inverted and truncated Suspension Rods. The user will place the Suspension Rod into DFW C, and will physically cut the suspension rod to end flush with DFW C on the bottom. At this time, the user will connect DFW C and DFW D in the same fashion, by connecting them via magnetized metal places inserted into DFW C and DFW D, securely attaching them together, serving as a finished assembled unit on the bottom.

At the bottom of the Suspension Rods attached to DFW C and DFW D, recall that it was cut flush with the bottom of the pieces. The user will then connect a small magnetized disc at the bottom of the Suspension Rod, which was cut flush.

The user will then attach a small metal plate to the floor, under DFW C and DFW D, so that it lines up with the small magnetized disc that was placed on the cut-flush end of the Suspension Rod. At this time, the small metal disc, which is magnetized, will attach to the metal place on the floor, and this will hold the End Product in place securely.

Option 2: Inverted Suspension Rods.

The user will have the option to install the Suspension Rods to the floor in the same fashion and method, as they would install to the ceiling, simply inverted.

Specifically, the Suspension Rods will be secured to the floor, directly opposite from its installation to the ceiling. At this point, the user will attach DFW C, inverted, to the Suspension Rods. DFW D will function in the same way as the top, but in this instance, the user will not need to secure the fabric to the double sided tape since as gravity and the weight of the fabric will hold it in place.

The user will simply attach DFW D and DFW C together, and the Rubber Gasket will press against the fabric, securely holding it in place on the bottom.

Option 3: Free Hanging.

This is the easiest option of them all, and typically is expected to be used when the End Product is used as a window treatment or window coverage. In this instance, it will be free hanging, with no weights attached. Gravity will simply weight it down.

A SUMMARY OF THE SPECIFIC ADVANTAGES OFFERED BY THE INVENTION

The invention descried herein has two (2) primary advantages to the user.

-   -   1. Unilateral Installation.

The first advantage is the simplicity in the method and system, which will enable unilateral installation. By enabling the user to engage in unilateral installation, they have a net effect of (a) saving money by not having to hire additional help; (b) enabling themselves to install the product at their own time, without having to consider other's schedules, which could unnecessarily delay and prolong installation; and (c) by giving the user full control over the installation, they can install the product exactly as they deem fit and appropriate, as opposed to relying in good faith on a third party vendor to install the product in the exact same fashion as the user envisions. Certainly, being in direct control saves money, and ensures that the user will be able to see the finished product installed exactly as the user sees the finished product in mind.

-   -   2. Near Flawless Visual Presentation.

A second big advantage here is that based on how the method and system operates, and how each component interplays with each other, the user upon installation will see a clean and finished product, without any marks, scars, scratches or any other imperfections. At no point is the user required to drill into, or mark up, any facially visible component of the unit. Rather, all installation points are inserted directly into the product components during installation, so as opposed to having to physically go into any facially visible components using tools that would mark up or scuff the components, the user simply puts the pieces together similar to a puzzle. This has a tremendous benefit to the user who is looking to have a clean, unmarked facially visible product, in their home, office, or anywhere for that matter. In situations where looks and appeal are important to the user, for instance in a personal home, in an art display, or even in a hi-end office where the user is required to hosts guests and clients, this method and system offers a solution for the user to procure a product has both significant utility and style. 

The invention claimed is as followed:
 1. In a situation in which the user, whether in a commercial or residential context, desires a high end prefabricated product to serve as a window covering, window treatment or room divider, of which its physical display is of critical value, and no imperfections or marks are able to be seen, as well as unilateral, one person, installation, a method or system of preparing and assembling four (4) specific products, enabling the user to achieve their desired result.
 2. The method as described in claim 1, will require the use of certain products, manufactured by the Inventor. These products are (a) at least two (2) Decorative Finished Wood Products; (b) at least 2 Suspension Rods and 2 Locking Pins to secure the Suspension Rods; and (c) a fastening system for the fabric requiring a Rubber Gasket to compress and attach the fabric to the Decorative Finished Wood.
 3. The method as described in claim 1 will include, using the products described in claim 2, at least 2 Decorative Finished Wood Products, that will have the following features, as prepared during the manufacturing process (a) an insert for a metal strip which may or may not be magnetized; (b) an insert for a Rubber Gasket to hold the fabric in place; (c) a piece of double sided tape which will come with a sheathing that will be peeled back when the user is ready to connect the fabric, (d) an insert in which the Suspension Rod will fit into place, and (e) an insert located on the top of the Decorative Finished Wood product for a Locking Pin, to secure the Suspension Rod.
 4. The method as described in claim 1 will include, using the products described in claim 2, at least 2 Suspension Rods, that will have the following features, as prepared during the manufacturing process (a) a flared end, with present hole for screws or nails, to fasten to either the ceiling or floor; (b) a flared end, designed to fit into the insert on the Decorative Finished Wood, to assist with holding it in place; and (c) a small insert on the flared ends to safely secure a Locking Pin, to further secure the Suspension Rod into the Decorative Finished Wood.
 5. The method as described in claim 1 will include, using the products described in claim 2, a Rubber Gasket, that the user will be required to put into a prefabricated incision located on the Decorative Finished Wood, to serve as a fastening mechanism for the fabric that will be installed, securing it in place.
 6. The method as described in claim 1 will include, as described in claim 2, a Locking Pin, that the user will be required to put into a prefabricated incision located on the outer, vertical face of the Decorative Finished Wood, which will also run through a prefabricated insert cut into the flared end of the Suspension Rod, in order to safely secure the Suspension Rod to the Decorative Finished Wood.
 7. The system and method as described in claim 1, which includes using the products described in claim 2, wherein Suspension Rods are utilized as mechanisms to hold a prefabricated Decorative Finished Wood Product in place, which runs on a horizontal plane.
 8. The system and method as described in claim 1, which includes using the products described in claim 2, wherein a Locking Pin will be inserted into a prefabricated Decorative Finished Wood product, holding a Suspension Rod into place and securing it accordingly.
 9. The system and method as described in claim 1, which includes using the products described in claim 2, wherein certain pieces of fabric will be secured to a Decorative Finished Wood product using surface mounted double-sided tape.
 10. The system and method as described in claim 1, which includes using the products described in claim 2, wherein certain pieces of fabric that were secured in place by surface mounted double-sided tape installed on a Decorative Finished Wood product, are then further secured and held into place by connecting the Decorative Finished Wood product to another Decorative Finished Wood product, which contains a Rubber Gasket, pressing against the fabric from the opposite side of the double-sided tape.
 11. The system and method as described in claim 1, which includes using the products described in claim 2 and were secured as described in claim 10, wherein 2 pieces of Decorative Finished Wood are then secured by attached metal discs which may or may not be magnetized.
 12. The system and method as described in claim 1, which includes using the products described in claim 2 and using the steps through claim 11, wherein the user will then connect 2 Decorative Finished Wood products to the bottom of the fabric to serve as a free hanging weight, to hold the Finished Product in place when being used of a room divider or window coverage/window treatment.
 13. The system and method as described in claim 1, which includes using the products described in claim 2 and using the steps through claim 11, wherein the user will then connect 2 Decorative Finished Wood products to the bottom of the fabric in the same fashion the user connects the 2 Decorative Finished Wood products to the top of the unit, and installs the Suspension Rods in an truncated fashion using magnetic metal discs, to hold the fabric in place when being used of a room divider or window coverage/window treatment.
 14. The system and method as described in claim 1, which includes using the products described in claim 2 and using the steps through claim 11, wherein the user will then connect 2 Decorative Finished Wood products to the bottom of the fabric in the same fashion the user connects the 2 Decorative Finished Wood products to the top of the unit, and installs the Suspension Rods in an inverted fashion, to hold the fabric in place when being used of a room divider or window coverage/window treatment.
 15. The system and method as described in claim 1, which includes using the products described in claim 2 and using the steps through claim 11, and a finishing step as identified in claims 12 through 14, which results in a Finished Product being utilized as a room divider or window coverage/window treatment. 